Pencil sharpener



May 10, 1949. w, BROOKS 2,469,858

PENCIL SHARIENER Filed April 4, 1945- I gvwmrvm W/u 752 J. Beep/ 6.

Patented May 10, 1949 1 Claim.

This-invention refers to .cutters and moreparlticularlyto devices for sharpening pencilsaemployingeonventi-on-al safetyrazon blades.

v1There,have been a numbers-of arrangements ;.deve1-o.pedf that employ conventional razoizlblades as the cutters" for devices -of "the nature referred to. In one form a stand is embodied in the holder of the blade which provides a holder for the pencil to rest in and faces the open edge of the blade upwardly in a position where there is a likelihood of the user being accidently out, because the edge is unprotected. This form has been followed in design by many others of a similar nature. They all have the general disadvantage of being relatively dangerous to the user because of their exposed unprotected and sharpened edges.

It is the object or this invention to provide a new and improved pencil sharpener employing a conventional safety razor for its cutter, that will avoid the disadvantages and objections of exist ing pencil cutters of the same nature.

A further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved pencil sharpener that will employ a conventional safety razor blade as a cutter in it, in such a manner as to cover up its sharpened edge so there will be very little chance of the user cutting his hands on same in using it i or the purpose in question.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a new and improved penci1 sharpener that will be compact without losing its effectiveness,

safe to carry in the pocket of the user, and economical to manufacture.

Other objects will become apparent as the invention is more fully set forth.

In a form of this invention which is illustrated herewith, by way of example:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a pencil sharpener embodying this invention;

Figure 2 is an end view of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view along the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a back view of Figure 1; and

Figure 5 is an end view of Figure 4.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

In the construction shown in the drawing, H represents a holding frame formed of plastic or other suitable material. It is of wedge-like shape viewed sidewlse, with the bottom surface l2 flat and horizontal while its upper surface 5 is angular thereto as indicated. There are two side guide pieces I3 having slots l4 arranged at an angle to the plane of the base for holding the side edgerpor'tionsmf a ponventionalrrazorblade 25 The purpose of thisis .to prevent the bladrfrom slipping through under-any circumstance; 'totkeep the users, fingers away from it, toallow'nthe 'shavingytmcome'through and-to givestrength to the frame. The blade is placed in the slots l4 and projects down at an angle to the pencil point or surface I! to be shaved thereby. The blades cutting edge 18 is bowed and limited to a line under the overhanging lip I9 of the frame, and is about a shaving thickness from the latter. This is so a shaving 20 cut from the pencil point will be forced along the upper face 2| of the blade through the openings in, passing over a bevel shelf 23 formed on the material on the upper edge of the opening. One side piece 24 of the frame is loose before assembly, and is put in place to hold the blade secure in the frame when the latter is inserted, and after that the piece is cemented or otherwise fastened in to make the frame practically integral. The back portion 21 of the frame is made substantial enough to meet the stresses put upon it.

The pencil to be sharpened is placed at an angle to the device pointing towards the edge of the blade 25. The holder frame is pushed forward by the user against the pencil point and the shavings 20 chiselled off. As they are cut ofi by the blade edge, the shavings pass along the upper surface of the blade, until they reach the bevel shelf 23 and then pass out from the opening and frame. The holes 28 in the blade serve as locks for projections .29 on the frame to catch into when the blade is inserted, these projections assist in properly aligning the blade in the holding frame. The projections 30 on the side piece 24 align with slots in the frame and are bendable within these slots to hold the blade prior to connecting the side piece 24 to the frame ll.

One particular feature of this invention is in the fact that it utilizes, safety razor blades instead of the heavier cutters employed in convential pencil Sharpeners. This is an important feature, as the common cutter gets dull easily and quickly and no convenient means are provided for resharpening them. This means that the user is compelled to discard the pencil sharpener entirely. This is costly and inconvenient, but there is no way to avoid it. To try and sharpen one of these cutters, requires special tools, handling and skill, which the average user does not have. Razor blades after they have been used for some time for shaving purposes get too dull for that use, and are generally discarded. However in this invention, the blade is reusable for cutting pencils, as they are still in much sharper condition than the common pencil cutter. They therefore can be used for a considerable period in the sharpener after they have been taken out of the razor holder. The placement or replacement of the blade in the holding frame l l is convenient, expeditious and effective. The razor blade by reason of its thinness and fine steel is an exceptionally good cutter and is lighter and is more readily available. This use of the razor blades reduces waste of a valuable item, increases its potential service to humanity and is better for the economy of the world.

While but one general form of the invention is shown in the drawings and described in the specifications, it is not desired to limit this application for patent to this particular form or in any other Way otherwise than limited by the scope thereof, as it is appreciated that other forms of construction could be made that would use the same principles and come Within the scope of the appended claim.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

A blade holder comprising in combination, a

4 holder frame having opposite surfaces diverging from one edge thereof, one of said surfaces being provided with a recess extending from said edge, there being notches provided on opposite sides of said recess, a side piece having projections for engagement with a blade and positioning projections, said side piece being located in said recess with said positioning projections engaged in said notches, said recess and said side piece having their engaging surfaces correspondingly arouate, said frame being provided with openings adjacent said edge and said side piece terminating inwardly of said edge.

WALTER J. BROOKS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 240,520 Jones Apr. 26, 1881 466,734 Broomell Jan. 5, 1892 673,770 Fortunati May 7, 1901 1,301,727 Messenger Apr. 22, 1919 

